James Rodgers is the elder statesman of the Oregon State Beavers receiving corps. The senior, still getting back to 100 percent after last season's knee injury, says part of his role is bringing young guys along — young guys like Brandin Cooks, the freshman who started in Rodgers' place in the first two games of the season.

As Rodgers rehabbed his knee, Cooks became the first Oregon State
Beavers freshman to open the season as a starter at wide receiver. He has run the fly sweep and made some big catches, and against BYU, Cooks scored his first college
touchdown on a 59-yard connection with quarterback Sean Mannion.

Rodgers, the starter and mentor, and Cooks, the backup and understudy, are close. And they're two pieces of a receivers unit that coach Mike Riley called one of the bright spots during a season that hasn't had enough.

Markus Wheaton leads the receivers with 46 catches for 548 yards. In four games, Rodgers has 18 receptions for 196 yards and one touchdown. Cooks has 12 catches for 170 and a touchdown.

Rodgers and Cooks talk about their connection, their season and the receiving corps: